Name_ _________________________
Phone_ _________________________
STUDENT
JOURNAL
1
2
Two important Congressional acts of the 1990s, the Perkins Vocational and Applied
Technology Education Act and the School-to-Work (STW) Opportunities Act, both emphasize
providing you, the student, with a, “strong experience in and understanding of all aspects
of the industry you are preparing to enter.” The acts identify eight associated concepts and
skill areas that you should gain some experience and understanding of while engaged in your
successful internship experience.
Journal Guidelines:
Your guided journal experience will challenge you to explore these categories
as they pertain to your host site. These weekly focus questions were designed
to aid you in conversations with your host and help you achieve a greater
understanding of the “big picture.” There is a focus question(s) each week
for you to explore. We encourage you to share your thoughts on the pages
labeled “Tasks & Duties/Reflections on the Workplace.” You should make at
least two entries into this area of your journal per week in addition to answering
the focus question(s) of the week. Enjoy your career exploration journey...
Just a reminder that this is your journal to keep. The information you share is
confidential and is reviewed at the meetings.
BRING THIS JOURNAL TO ALL MEETINGS
Credits:
Instructional Materials Laboratory, 2316 Industrial Drive, Columbia, MO 65202. 1-800-669-2465.
www.iml.coe.missouri.edu
Foster, Chad (1999) Teenagers; Preparing for the Real World. Southeastern Educational Publishing.
Revised 08/07.
3
Introduction
Choosing a career path after high school is an important decision.
• You may decide to go to college full-time.
• You may decide to work full-time.
• You may decide to go to college full- or part-time and work full- or part-time.
Technical and Production Skills
Specific production techniques alternative methods.
Underlying Principles of
Technology
Integrated study across the
curriculum of the mathematical,
scientific, social and economic
principles that underly the
technology.
Finance
Management of financial
operations including accounting
and financial decision making.
Health, Safety and
Environmental Issues
In relation to both the workers
and the larger community.
4
ALL ASPEC
OF THE INDU
C AT E G O R I
This booklet is designed to help you with your job search whether it is a full-time job to start
your career or a part-time job while attending college. Even a job that is not related to your
final career goal will help you develop skills that will be valuable to you in future jobs.
Management
Methods typically used to manage enterprises over
time within the industry - methods for expanding
and diversifying workers’ tasks and broadening
worker involvement in decisions.
Planning
TS
STRY
ES
Examined both at the industry level and at
the firm level. Various forms of ownership,
including cooperatives and worker ownership,
and the relationship of the industry to
economic, political and social context.
Labor Issues
Worker rights, responsibilities
and roles.
Community Issues
The impact of the enterprise and
the industry on the community, and
the community’s impact on and
involvement with the enterprise.
5
All Aspects Reflection Question of the Week:
Management
What is the organizational structure of the workplace?
• Organization chart/chain of command?
• Mission statement?
• When was it established?
Is this a publicly- or privately-held company/organization?
How would you describe the work atmosphere? Is there demonstrated cultural diversity?
What are the different managerial and work styles presently used? Is there flexible
scheduling for employees?
Whether you continue your formal education or start a job after high school, all
careers will require continual upgrading of skills. You should expect to be learning
throughout your career.
6
Tasks and Duties
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Consider This...
What’s your specific goal for this internship experience? Share this goal
with your host, keep your “eyes on the prize” and revisit this goal regularly throughout the experience.
7
All Aspects Reflection Question of the Week:
Technical / Production Skills
What basic skills are needed to get this job done (math, reading, writing and problem
solving)?
• What are the certification requirements for this job, if any?
• Is there skills testing on the job?
What are the technical skills needed to get this job done (operating machinery,
using tools)?
• How is training offered to employees?
• Is cross-training available?
• Is the work environment deadline oriented?
• What are the advancement opportunities or career paths available?
How are these essential skills demonstrated in the workplace?
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Goal setting skills
• Punctuality/reliability
• Attitude and appearance
• Problem-solving skills
What skills are needed for effective relationships with colleagues?
Build your vocabulary today. If you don’t have a word of the day calendar, sign up for
an electronic version of Webster’s Word of the Day at: www.m-w.com
8
Tasks and Duties
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Consider This...
Diverse Knowledge: Knowing a little about a lot of things makes you a
better conversationalist and valuable team member. What can you do
to build this knowledge? Get in the habit of reading a local or regional
newspaper, on-line news service or weekly news magazine. You will be
amazed how this information will permeate your conversations.
9
All Aspects Reflection Question of the Week:
Finance
What are the sources of operational funding (public, private, non-profit)?
How does this organization manage financial operations?
• Payroll
• Income
• Expenditures
What are the costs of production and service delivery? Are these costs fixed or variable?
How has technology increased/decreased cost of operations?
“The person interested in success has to learn to view failure as a healthy, inevitable
part of the process of getting to the top.”
- Dr. Joyce Brothers
10
Tasks and Duties
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Consider This...
Plan your goals using a calendar. This method gives structure to your vision in terms of days, weeks and months. Never give up until your vision
becomes reality.
11
All Aspects Reflection Question of the Week:
Health, Safety & Environment
What is management’s responsibility for safety in the workplace?
• What safety training is available/required?
• What are the standard safety procedures at this work site?
• How are job “ergonomics” (equipment designed to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort) addressed?
What are the regulatory agencies involved with this work site?
• Federal?
• State?
• County?
What impact does the business have on the natural world (environment, recycling regulations, waste disposal)? Is this a “green” workplace (efficient processes in regard to energy
use and the ability to reuse all waste)?
“If success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel
good in your heart, it is not success at all.”
- Anna Quindlen
12
Tasks and Duties
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Consider This...
Have you written down the names, phone numbers and e-mail
addresses of the people you have worked with in your internship?
If not, do it today! Successful people have hundreds of contacts for
virtually everything under the sun. Make a note on your personal
calendar to re-contact and connect with these people you have met.
Send an e-mail, a fun postcard or simply a quick phone call to check in...
They will really appreciate it and keep YOU in mind for opportunities that
may come their way!
13
All Aspects Reflection Question of the Week:
Community Issues
Who are your customers/clients?
• Who is your “target market” (segment of market that is the focus of business or marketing plan)?
• How is customer/client satisfaction measured?
What is the public perception of who or what your organization or business is/does? Who
defines that perception (PR, marketing, management)? How is that perception shared
(networking, community relations, etc)?
How does the business impact and interact with the community?
• Environmentally (noise, odor, waste)?
• Traffic issues/public safety?
• In what key ways does the company help the community? How does the
community help the company/organization?
“Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
- Vince Lombardi
14
Tasks and Duties
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Consider This...
What have you done lately to make this a better world? It’s a big world
out there and it needs you! Perform a small service for your school, a
family member, a friend, a stranger or your community today! It can be as
simple as picking up someone else’s trash or offering a helpful hand to an
elderly shopper. You are going to feel good about it and they will see the
shining face of the future doing what they do best...Good things.
15
All Aspects Reflection Question of the Week:
Labor Issues
What is the wage range of employment opportunities? Are employees compensated on an
hourly basis or salaried?
What benefits are provided to employees?
What are the hours of work? Is there a flexible work schedule available?
What is the benefit of having defined and written policies and job descriptions?
How are employees evaluated and promoted?
16
Tasks and Duties
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Consider This...
People don’t succeed by themselves. You NEED the cooperation of your
family, your friends, your teachers, your fellow students and your community. Share your “secret dream” with them. People cannot help you
achieve it if they don’t know what you want. Dream a dream and SHARE
it today!
17
All Aspects Reflection Question of the Week:
Planning
Is there a business plan? If so, what are the short-term/long-term goals? Who develops this
plan? Who is responsible to carry out this plan? What are the roles of those responsible?
How will the inevitable changes in technology and the global marketplace impact this plan?
18
Tasks and Duties
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Consider This...
Successful people are good listeners. You learn nothing when you hear
yourself speak. Practice listening today. Ask a friend or sibling to tell you
about a personal dream or goal he or she has. Just listen...Don’t judge,
alter his/her meaning or offer comment unless he/she asks ask for it.
19
All Aspects Reflection Question of the Week:
Underlying Principles of Technology
How is computer technology used throughout the company?
How does the company use the following technology?
• Communications technology
• Productions technology
• Transportation technology
• Bio-related technology
How might the needed technology change over the next five to 10 years?
“It is better to deserve honors and not have them, than to have them and not deserve
them.”
- Mark Twain
20
Tasks and Duties
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Consider This...
Have you told your internship host thank you? Two of the sweetest
words a person can hear are the sincerely spoken words “thank you.”
It’s important to let your host know you appreciate his/her time and you
learned from him/her.
21
Tasks and Duties
Consider This...
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Do you like your part-time job? Are there transferable skills you are
learning now in your job that will benefit your future? Sometimes an attitude adjustment about what we do to make money is all it takes to bring
more enjoyment and meaning to the tasks we are paid to do.
22
Tasks and Duties
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Consider This...
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING! You will have challenges today that may seem
insurmountable. Step 1: BREATHE. Step 2: REAFFIRM your personal
abilities...YOU CAN DO THIS! Step 3: You are never alone. People can
help you. Not only can they help you, they want to.
Don’t ever forget that the combination of a positive attitude, personal
confidence and the help of others has always been the basic formula for
success.
23
Tasks and Duties
Consider This...
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and
the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and
endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the
best in others; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy
child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one
life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of
success.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
24
Tasks and Duties
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Consider This...
Strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know today.
Successful people have the ability to talk to anyone, anywhere and in
any circumstance.
25
Tasks and Duties
Consider This...
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard
work and learning from failure.”
- Colin Powell
26
Tasks and Duties
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Consider This...
Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something
they have deep inside them: A desire, a dream, a vision.”
- Muhammad Ali
27
Tasks and Duties
Consider This...
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
“Eighty percent of success is showing up.”
28
- Woody Allen
Tasks and Duties
Consider This...
Observations / Reflections / Thoughts
Be the change you want to see in the world!
- Unknown
29
VIPs
Name/Title
Phone
E-mail
Address
Name/Title
Phone
E-mail
Address
Name/Title
Phone
E-mail
Address
Name/Title
Phone
E-mail
Address
Name/Title
Phone
E-mail
Address
Name/Title
Phone
E-mail
Address
Name/Title
Phone
E-mail
Address
Name/Title
Phone
E-mail
Address
30
Record of Hours Worked
Week Date
Hours Worked
Intern’s Initials
Host’s Initials
Total Hours*
to Date
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
*Enter your cumulative hours to date.
Example: Week 1 hours = 10, Week 2 hours = 12, running total = 22.
31
1030 Fifth Avenue SE • Suite 2700 • Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
Phone: 319-398-1040 • Fax: 319-398-1041
1810 Lower Muscatine Road • Iowa City, IA 52240
Phone: 319-887-3647 • Fax: 319-887-3657
www.workplace-learning.org
©2006 Kirkwood Community College
The Workplace Learning Connection is a partnership of
Kirkwood Community College and Grant Wood Area Education Agency.
Call 319-398-1040 to purchase additional copies of this publication.
32